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Having oily skin can make flawless makeup application a MAJOR challenge, even in the best of weather (that 35-75 degree, zero humidity sweet spot). But when you have oily skin and you’re facing the summer heat, never mind trying to execute and maintain that coveted airbrushed-foundation look. So, I turned to Instagram for some hacks that could help my skin look totally unbothered under the sun and humidity.

Makeup artist and event planner Shabnam Khawja seems to have found the solution in a product that we all have in our bathroom stashes: deodorant. Could the same thing that keeps your armpits dry also keep your skin looking matte? Shabnam thinks so.

“Putting a stick of deodorant on your face may sound ridiculous, but the powdery ingredients can help mattify the face,” writes Shabnam. “Also, some natural deodorants include mineral salts that can help dry out zits, and bacteria-fighting ingredients that can also curb breakouts.”

While the one-two punch combo seems to work (Shabnam’s makeup does look flawless, after all), should you really try this Instagram beauty hack at home? Celebrity makeup artist and owner of Fancy Face Brittany Gray thinks you should leave this one on IG.

“My initial reaction to this specific trend in the makeup world was HELL NO,” says Brittany. “After doing some research, testing it out myself and trusting my instincts, I’ve come to the conclusion that this hack should be left in the pits instead of on the face.”

She found that using deodorant as a mattifying face primer did work, but if you care about your overall skin health, she thinks you should probably avoid this beauty trick. “Firstly, these products are not formulated with the face in mind! Antiperspirant deodorants often contain ingredients like magnesium and parabens that can clog pores and, over time, even cause acne,” Brittany explains. “Some of these formulas are also photosensitive, which means they can cause damage to the skin when in contact with the sun.” Yikes!

Also, Brittany notes, the skin on the face is much more sensitive than the skin on the underarms, and should be treated as such. “It’s similar to how the skin around your eye area should be treated more sensitively than the rest of the face.”

So, now that you know deodorant as a face primer is a huge no-no, what should you use to ensure matte makeup application? “If you are a believer in treating your skin with the utmost care, I would invest in better quality products that won’t leave you with dried out, irritated skin or with acne,” says Brittany.

About the author

Septembre Anderson is a multimedia journalist, cultural critic and media commentator. Her published work covers topic areas like fashion, beauty, lifestyle, current events, social justice and health + wellness. While her passions are her profession, Septembre also enjoys losing herself in science fiction and fantasy novels and waiting patiently for the next A Song of Ice and Fire book.